Monthly Archives: November 2012

During the recent election Rep Chip Cravaack and his extremist friends repeatedly pounded away at former Congressman Rick Nolan for being “liberal and radical”, and warned voters Nolan would continue his “radical ways” if returned to Congress. Well, Radical Rick soundly defeated Tea Party Chip on November 6, and in a telephone news conference Monday, the 8th District congressman-elect outlined his radical agenda: changing the way we do politics by getting big special interest money out of elections, supporting a national light rail transit system, and passing sensible BWCA land swap legislation that represents the best interests of northern Minnesota residents.

In the early morning phone call with reporters, Nolan said he was optimistic that a BWCA land exchange bill could still be passed this year, but without the problematic provisions of Cravaack’s bill: exempting lands from the Thye-Blatnik Act, which would result in millions of lost revenue for Lake, Cook and St Louis counties; weakening protections normally afforded to federal lands; potentially allowing logging and mining interests to avoid paying revenue due to the taxpayers for use of the land. Radical Rick noted there is currently no companion bill in the Senate, and indicated he would ask Senators Franken and Klobuchar to introduce legislation that could garner bi partisan support for the land exchange and enable its passage before this session of Congress adjourns.

This new approach to the BWCA land swap highlights the difference in representation 8th district residents will notice in many areas over the coming months. Whereas Tea Party Chip’s first statements as congressman-elect were to oppose funding for the new terminal at the Duluth International Airport and for the Northern Lights Express, Radical Rick voiced strong support for a national light rail transit system, which he said would “create jobs and provide a cost effective and sensible” means of transport. And Nolan emphasized we need to continue funding for northern Minnesota airports, funding that Cravaack voted to cut or eliminate during his single term in Congress.

Nolan was also critical of the role money now plays in politics, describing it as “dangerous and threatening to our democracy”. “Members should be beholden to the public and not to the highest bidder,” he continued, and under the current system “Members spend too much time fundraising and not enough time governing.” Radical Rick plans to introduce legislation providing for federal funding for campaigns, limiting the amount of time Members devote to campaigning, and overturning the Citizen’s United ruling.

Nolan made these comments as he headed out to Washington DC for what will be his second freshman orientation. He was first elected to Congress in 1974 and served until 1980, experience that gives him a significant edge over new Members. And Nolan retains seniority from his previous service which will likely assist him in securing assignments to committees key to the 8th district: Natural Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure. Nolan said he is eager to get to work and is particularly looking forward to the National Mining Association reception for Members of Congress this week. And the Cuyuna Range native noted that his family will continue to live in northern Minnesota “I’m just going to find a room right close by the Capitol where I can stay when Congress is in session. We’ll keep our home up in Crow Wing County where we’ve been all our lives”

Registered with the FEC as an electioneering and communications organization, Regular Folks From The Range does not endorse any particular candidate, but focuses on informing the public about Chip Cravaack’s abysmal voting record and embarrassing performance in Congress through ads currently running on cable TV throughout the 8th district.

Their first ad, ‘Company Man‘, featuring respected union members pointing out that Cravaack sides with the mining companies and not workers, has proven highly effective.

Last Friday, the group launched its final salvo with Ponikvar starring in ads exposing Cravaack’s appalling record on the public health crises of autism and breast cancer. Ponikvar’s simple message “He seems to take care of himself, but not us” is sure to resonate with voters throughout the district who have watched Cravaack engage in a pathetic game of political dodge ball in recent weeks.

Deer hunting is a time honored tradition in northern Minnesota, and many look forward to gathering with friends and family at the hunting shack every fall. Former Congressman Rick Nolan (a native of the Cuyuna Iron Range), took time off from the campaign trail this weekend, explaining he’s never missed a deer opener. Much like a fourth-grader with a broken leg who doesn’t want to be left behind when the rest of the class heads out for dodge ball, Rep. Chip Cravaack (a packsacker who’s primary residence is in New Hampshire) cried ‘me too’ and limped along on his own, seemingly unaware of how the game is played. Pictures speak a thousand words….

It seems Tea Party Congressmen Chip Cravaack and Paul Ryan have more in common than the Ryan budget and working out in the same gym: both have refused to co sponsor key pieces of legislation designed to address the epidemics of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Breast Cancer.

Autism and Breast Cancer have been declared public health crises affecting millions of American families every year. Rates for both are quite high: an estimated 1 in 88 children will be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, and 1 in 8 American women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.

Two major pieces of legislation designed to address the epidemics of breast cancer and autism were proposed during the 112th Congress. Both garnered bi partisan support:

235 Representatives co-sponsored H.R. 3067, the Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Act of 2011.

It’s particularly troublesome that Chip Cravaack did not co sponsor H.R. 2005. As the parent of a child with an ASD, he should have been front and center promoting that important initiative as well as other legislation benefiting those battling the disorder. Yet Cravaack remained silent about autism until it benefited him to do so. He didn’t even bother to join the Congressional Autism Caucus. Indeed, Chip Cravaack was willing enough to talk about his child’s autism to help him get re elected, but he wasn’t willing to help children with autism in Congress.

Cravaack’s disgraceful record on autism and breast cancer has not gone unnoticed by constituents. Regular Folks On The Iron Range on Friday launched two new cable TV ads pointing to his abysmal record on these important issues:

Much is written about the dog-eat-dog world of northern Minnesota politics, but rarely do we get a glimpse into the more compassionate side of politics in the Fighting 8th: the close personal relationships that are forged over working for the common good. But today long time 8th Congressional District DFL Chair Don Bye shares this very personal story:

Much has been circulated establishing why Rick Nolan is most qualified to represent our 8th District. Let me relate an added personal reason.

My wife Meg died at the end of May this year. Meg was diagnosed with cancer in 2007. Determined to live as “normal” a life as possible, in 2008 she ran for legislature here in Rick’s home area. Knowing she had an uphill race, Rick offered to help. We had long known Rick and family on an enjoyable, but occasional basis.

Rick met Meg at 6:00 A.M several mornings, took her around to his coffee groups in Emily and Cross Lake, with door knocking and sign placing afterward.

When no younger candidate surfaced in 2010,Meg determined to try again. Knowing it was an uphill venture; Rick was there again with his ingratiating manner and upbeat support.

Last January we received the horrible news that Meg’s condition was hopelessly and imminently terminal. On hearing that Rick left a campaign meeting early, came to the hospital in Minneapolis and met and consoled with our whole attending family.Despite the turmoil of campaigning, Rick stayed in touch by phone and in person through Meg’s declining months.

The day after Meg died Rick interrupted campaigning to come out and sit on our porch, comforting and consoling. Days later Rick and wife canceled other campaign and family commitments to be at Meg’s funeral, and both have kept in personal touch.

That is why I’ll vote for Rick Nolan for whatever he wants to run for as long as he wants to run.

Chip, you sure talk a good game about supporting Duluth, but your dismal record says otherwise. You care about Duluth? Who’s Kidding Who, Chip?

You refused to open an office or even hold a town meeting in Duluth until you were publicly shamed to do so.

So much for constituent service.

You opposed investing $20 million of Federal Stimulus in a new airport terminal to keep Duluth competitive in the aviation market

It’s being built in spite of you.

You opposed investing $16 million in Federal Stimulus funds for Duluth’s Intermodal Center— a project that creates construction jobs and will make Duluth a model transportation center.

Thanks Chip.

You opposed a $6 million investment in stormwater/wastewater overflow holding facilities that created construction jobs, and protected Lake Superior during this summer’s huge storm.

Thanks Again Chip.

You tried to undermine the rescue of Cirrus Aviation by a Chinese investor, then wouldn’t tell the public that the U.S. Treasury found no fault, no risk to national or economic security from the transaction, which has saved aircraft production jobs in Duluth.

Cirrus survived, no thanks to you.

Chip, it’s time to stop kidding around and tell the people of Duluth exactly what you think of them. Who’s Kidding Who Chip? You don’t care about Duluth!

In northern Minnesota, where one is from and where one has roots is of great importance to voters, and residency has figured prominently in the race for 8th district congress. While the only constitutional requirement of a U.S. Representative is that one “shall be an inhabitant of that state in which he shall be chosen”, there is an expectation by 8th district residents that their congressman actually live in the district. A recent examination of property records shows that Cravaack is claiming a homestead in two different states, leaving residents wondering exactly where their congressman lives. Thus in the closing days of this nationally watched race, the question of whether or not Rep. Chip Cravaack lives in the district and meets the residency requirements of the State of Minnesota still remains unanswered.

Chip Cravaack will make the argument that these are last minute attacks. They’re not. In fact, This residency issue has been plaguing Chip Cravaack for almost two years, and for almost two years he has been dismissing it as irrelevant, an odd assertion from one who created the issue during his 2010 campaign when he falsely accused Rep Jim Oberstar of not living here. Even at this late date in the campaign, those concerned about the residency issue should examine the facts and make their decision accordingly.The record tells us the following:

We’ll leave it to the lawyers to determine the technicalities of the voting and tax issues. However, Minnesota statutes do provide some guidance regarding determination of residency for voting, homestead and income tax purposes.

(d) if an individual goes into another state or precinct with the intention of making it home or files an affidavit of residence there for election purposes, the individual loses residence in the former precinct; and

(g) if an individual’s family lives in one precinct and the individual lives or does business in another, the individual’s residence is located in the precinct where the individual’s family lives, unless the individual establishes a home in the other precinct and intends to remain there, with or without the individual’s family

(a) Residential real estate that is occupied and used for the purposes of a homestead by its owner, who must be a Minnesota resident, is a residential homestead…..Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the Department of Revenue may, upon request from an assessor, verify whether an individual who is requesting or receiving homestead classification has filed a Minnesota income tax return as a resident for the most recent taxable year for which the information is available.

When it comes to determining residency, your words and actions are both considered, but of the two, your actions carry more weight than words.

That Cravaack apparently doesn’t see a problem with his contradictory statements about where he lives should come as no surprise. Air line pilots are notorious for having a rather cavalier attitude towards residency which at times gets them into trouble. The feeling that you live wherever you happen to land at the time may work for them because passengers don’t care where their pilot lives. But this doesn’t work in politics because constituents in the 8th district of Minnesota do care where their congressman lives, and they expect their congressman to live in the district. Residency is a matter of real concern to his constituents whether Cravaack wants to recognize it or not. The fact that he doesn’t seem to get it now indicates he doesn’t understand the district, yet he certainly got it well enough when he relentlessly lobbed false accusations at Chisholm native Jim Oberstar.

How convenient.

Chip Cravaack’s pompous, self righteous indignation over the residency issue exists only because those very same questions are now directed at him. It is the very definition of hypocrisy. Cravaack needs to stop shedding crocodile tears and give his constituents the honest answers they deserve.

The intricacies of residency requirements for voting, taxes and eligibility to run for office are issues for attorneys to argue over. This is not about technicalities of the law. We’re just interested in what’s right and what’s wrong, and it seems wrong that Chip Cravaack is able to claim a homestead in Minnesota while also claiming a primary residence in New Hampshire (a state that has no income tax).

Readers are encouraged to review the record, read the statutes and come to their own conclusions.